Male circumcision reduces the risk of HIV infection by 60% and provides other health benefits. It involves removing the foreskin from the penis. Some of the benefits include easier hygiene, lower risk of HIV and other STIs, and reduced risk of penile and cervical cancer. However, circumcision does not provide complete protection from HIV, so condoms must still be used.

1. Male Circumcision Fact Sheet
Scientists and researchers tell us that men who have had medical male circumcision (MMC) are 60%
less likely to get HIV. MMC also has other benefits for men and their sexual partners.
MMC:
• makes it easier to wash your penis
• makes you less likely to get syphilis, herpes and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• reduces your risk of getting cancer of the penis
• means your female sexual partner is less likely to develop cervical cancer
MMC is free in certain clinics.
Remember that 60% is a lot, but it is not 100% so you still need to use a condom every time you
have sex.
What is MMC?
MMC is when the foreskin is completely removed so that the head of the penis is fully exposed.
MMC offers even more protection against getting HIV because:
• there is less chance that you will tear or injure your penis during se
• the cells on the penis that are vulnerable to HIV infection are removed
• a circumcised penis also dries more quickly after sex - this may reduce the life-span of any
HIV present after sex.
Traditional Male Circumcision
In South Africa, many people practice traditional circumcision. Traditional circumcision is seen as
part of the transition from boyhood to manhood. In traditional circumcision, the cutting of the
foreskin is just one part of this ritual.
Men who are circumcised in religious or traditional rituals need to make sure that they are fully
circumcised if they are to take advantage of the health benefits.
Health benefits for women
Men who have MMC are less likely to get Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and therefore they are less
likely to give it to women. HPV is the virus that causes genital warts and cervical cancer in women.
By reducing the risk of HIV infection for men, MMC also reduces the risk of HIV infection for women.

2. VERY IMPORTANT
You must not have sex or masturbate for at least 6 weeks after your circumcision. If you have MMC
you need to see your health worker after 6 weeks and they will tell you when you can have sex
again.
This is to ensure the wound fully heals. If you do have sex before the wound has healed this could
damage the wound and result in an infection. It also puts you and your partner at high risk of getting
HIV and STIs.
You must go to your clinic 2 - 3 days after your circumcision, to check whether your wound is healing
properly. If you have any concerns after having MMC you should contact your health worker
immediately.
REMEMBER
• MMC does not reduce your risk of HIV infection if you have anal sex.
• MMC does not fully protect you from HIV and STIs even after the wound has healed. Always
use a condom when having sex and stick to one partner.
• MMC does not prevent pregnancy.
• MMC does not have an HIV benefit for HIV positive men, but it does reduce the risk of HIV
positive men getting STIs and penile cancer. HIV positive men may have MMC, but this does
not protect your partner from HIV. HIV-positive men who choose to be circumcised should
continue to use condoms at all times to protect their partners from HIV and themselves and
their partner from re-infection if both partners are HIV-positive.
For more information and where to go for free medical circumcision
The AIDS Helpline
0800 012 322
Centre for HIV/AIDS Prevention Studies
www.chaps.org.za
Anova Health Institute
www.anovahealth.co.za
Brothers For Life
www.brothersforlife.org
Sonke Gender Justice
www.genderjustice.org.za
Other useful sites:
www.who.int/hiv/topics/malecircumcision/en/
www.malecircumcision.org
www.tac.org.za/community/node/2160